Annotated Bibliography: Improving Work Ethics

During Module 4, you proposed a topic for your Final Project, which explains the research you have gathered from academic sources and your approach to solving the problem you see in the workplace for your final project. During Module 6, you will set the stage for your final project by providing a preliminary annotated bibliography on your approach to solving the problem you posed during Module 4. This activity aligns with module outcome 2.
Content Requirements:
List and evaluate at least 6 academically oriented resources. Please use this 4-step model provided by the Excelsior College Online Writing Lab (OWL) (Links to an external site.) to create an annotated bibliography entry for each of the 6 academically oriented sources you have selected.
Cite the source using APA style.
Give a brief summary of the information in the source.
Give a brief evaluation of the quality of the source’s information.
Give a brief evaluation of whether the source is useful for the purpose of the project.
These sources may include class materials, academically oriented websites, or Excelsior College Library books or articles from peer-reviewed journals. Strive for a balance of different types of sources. Refer to the OWL materials on Evaluating Online Sources (Links to an external site.) to determine if a website is suitable for academic work.
Your final bibliography may continue to evolve between Module 6 and Module 8.
This course uses the American Psychological Association (APA) format for scholarly writing. References and citations must adhere to the proper format for all written work presented including essays, discussion postings, and essay exams. Online tips for using APA style may be found at the Purdue Online Writing Lab. Your research should be documented by citing one or more credible sources such as the course readings and videos, scholarly articles and books, or educational websites. Wikipedia and any similar online reference sites where the content may be authored by anyone are not considered credible sources for scholarly writing.
To assist you in your research, the OWL and the Excelsior Library has the following tutorials and links for you to use:
Starting your Research (Links to an external site.)
Find Answers 24/7 (Links to an external site.)
Research Strategies (Links to an external site.)
Research Tips (Links to an external site.)
Research Questions (Links to an external site.)
The Research Process (Links to an external site.)
Compose your work in a .doc or .docx file type using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. For those assignments that are not written essays and require uploading images or PowerPoint slides, please follow uploading guidelines provided by your instructor.
Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to submit your work, click “Upload Submission.” Enter the submission title and then click on “Select a file to upload.” Browse your computer, and select your file. Click “Open” and verify the correct file name has appeared next to Submission File. Click on “Continue.” Confirm submission is correct and then click on “Accept Submission & Save.”
Turnitin®
This course has Turnitin® fully integrated into the course dropbox. This means that you should only submit your assignments to the dropbox below. Please do not submit your assignment directly to Turnitin.com.
Once submitted, your assignment will be evaluated by Turnitin® automatically. You will be able to view an Originality Report within minutes of your first submission that will show how much of your work has been identified as similar to other sources such as websites, textbooks, or other student papers. Use your Originality Report as a learning tool to identify areas of your assignment that you may not have cited appropriately. You may resubmit your assignment through this dropbox as many times as you need to check to see if you have made improvements, until the due date of the assignment. However, once you have made your first submission, you will need to wait 24 hours after each subsequent submission to receive a new Originality Report. Plan accordingly as you draft your assignment. Once the due date has passed, your assignment submission will be considered final.
Evaluation
This assignment will be graded using the Annotated Bibliography Rubric located on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here section of the course. Please review the rubric prior to beginning your work so that you ensure your submission meets the criteria in place for this assignment. This assignment is worth 10% of your final course grade.
Final Project Guidelines
Consider a problem you see in society which can be solved with a product, event, creation of a job, etc. For your Final Project, you will research the problem, how the problem developed and discover what product, event, occupation, etc. would attempt to address the problem. What solution(s) do you find that exists now that isn't working well? How would your creative object, for instance, solve the problem and work the best?
After studying and experiencing several different methods of creative problem solving in Modules 1-4 and gathering academic sources to study the problem during Module 6, you will demonstrate and reflect on the solution you have created to address the problem during Module 8.
Your Final Project will include three stages:
Module 4: Topic Selection
Module 6: Annotated Bibliography
Module 8: Solution and Reflective Essay
In your Reflective Essay please include an image, screen shot, or a detailed description of the product, event, job, etc. you created.
Reflective Essay
Content Requirements
In a 5 to 6 page reflective essay,
Describe your topic in detail, the problem you see in society that can be solved with a product, event, creation of a job, etc. How did the problem develop?
Explain how you have applied the academic research you gathered in Module 6 to solving the problem. Please include the ways you have applied your learning from the exercises completed for your journal using the zig zag approach, The Art of Insight listening exercises, and the product analysis exercises you have completed in class.
Name the ways in which the solution you have in mind relates to your workplace or a future workplace you are preparing to enter.
How can the workplace grow/advance from your solution? Discuss the ways that solving this problem might have a positive impact on your career path.
What have you learned from this process that you can apply to your work in the future?
If you have implemented your innovative ideas, please answer the questions following as well:
What kinds of work-related obstacles hindered your progress?
Did any co-workers assist or delay your progress?
How long did it take you to finally implement the solution?
Can other peers learn from your same process?
Writing Requirements
Begin with an interesting introduction which includes your topic, approach and introduces your solution to the problem.
Logically organize your ideas, ensuring that there are transitions between each paragraph.
Use proper grammar and syntax.
Include detailed descriptions of the underlying problem, your approach to solving it, the research and learning from class exercises you applied to the problem, and the broader innovative impact of your solution.
Use terms from the course materials and academic resources from your bibliography to make your points, citing your sources properly.
Summarize your work on your project by connecting the major points of your essay and by recommending your solution to the problem in your conclusion.
A reflective essay is purposeful, personal, perceptive, and polished. To learn more about writing a reflective essay, please see the information provided by the Writing Center at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (Links to an external site.).
Important: Please consider promoting yourself and your work by submitting your final project to our marketing department, who will publish your reflections and project on innovation. Here are some of the benefits of sharing your ideas:
Publishing credentials to include on resumes and in interviews (i.e. “I was featured in…”)
Being highlighted in an Excelsior publication leads to being highlighted in your own jobs (e.g.: company newsletters, bulletin boards, circulars, etc.)
Notoriety (Being known as a go getter, problem solver, pioneer, etc. The boss would know you as the employee who advances innovation and aligns with the company’s mission.)
At the end of the paper, simply let your instructor know that you are giving permission for Excelsior to publish your ideas and project. If marketing decides to use your work, they will contact you with specific information or questions.
You can view examples of other Excelsior student profiles, ideas, and projects here:
http://news(dot)excelsior(dot)edu/excelsior-theses-series-filipinos-america-21st-century/ (Links to an external site.)
http://news(dot)excelsior(dot)edu/urgent-care-chris-colter-delivers-life-saving-treatment/ (Links to an external site.)
Annotated Bibliography
At the end of the reflective essay, include the annotated bibliography you submitted during Week 6, clearly indicating any changes or additions that became necessary as you completed your project between Weeks 6 through 8.
This course uses the American Psychological Association (APA) format for scholarly writing. References and citations must adhere to the proper format for all written work presented including essays, discussion postings, and essay exams.
Online tips for using APA style may be found at the Excelsior Online Writing Lab (Links to an external site.). Your research should be documented by citing one or more credible sources such as the course readings and videos, scholarly articles and books, or educational websites. Wikipedia and any similar online reference sites where the content may be authored by anyone are not considered credible sources for scholarly writing.
To assist you in your research, the OWL and the Excelsior Library has the following tutorials and links for you to use:
Starting your Research (Links to an external site.)
Find Answers 24/7 (Links to an external site.)
Research Strategies (Links to an external site.)
Research Tips (Links to an external site.)
Research Questions (Links to an external site.)
The Research Process (Links to an external site.)
This course has Turnitin fully integrated into the course dropbox. This means that you should only submit your assignments to the dropbox. Please do not submit your assignment directly to Turnitin.com.
Once submitted, your assignment will be evaluated by Turnitin® automatically. You will be able to view an Originality Report within minutes of your first submission that will show how much of your work has been identified as similar to other sources such as websites, textbooks, or other student papers. Use your Originality Report as a learning tool to identify areas of your assignment that you may not have cited appropriately. You may resubmit your assignment through this dropbox as many times as you need to check to see if you have made improvements, until the due date of the assignment. However, once you have made your first submission, you will need to wait 24 hours after each subsequent submission to receive a new Originality Report. Plan accordingly as you draft your assignment. Once the due date has passed, your assignment submission will be considered final.
Evaluation
The Final Project will be graded using the SLA Reflective Essay Rubric located on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here section of the course. Please review the rubric prior to beginning your work so that you ensure your submission meets the criteria in place for this assignment. The Final Project is worth 25% of your final course grade.